ASK Resource Center

12/22/2025

🎥 ASK an Expert: The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) & Procedural Safeguards

Learn what the IFSP process looks like, how parents play an active role, and the rights and protections families have under early intervention services.

This video breaks down:
👶 What an IFSP is
🧩 How parents are involved
📘 Procedural safeguards and family rights

👉 Watch the full video:
https://youtu.be/vdcwQ-at1Yc?si=daPC5cGWIdCE1fS7

12/20/2025

📢 Now Available: ASK an Expert – 6 Principles of IDEA ( #6 Procedural Safeguards)

Understanding your rights in special education matters. This video walks through Procedural Safeguards—what they are, why they matter, and how they protect families and students under IDEA.

Whether you’re new to special education or deep in the IEP process, this resource is designed to support informed, confident advocacy.

▶️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/n5ghixCSHCQ

Learn how Procedural Safeguards protect the rights of students with disabilities and their families under IDEA. Join ASK Resource Center for the final webina...

12/19/2025

Join us on Monday for a pre-holiday in-person support group! 💬💚
We have several opportunities for caregivers and families to connect before the holidays.

📍 Clinton
Dates: December 22
Time: 5:30–6:30 PM
Location: Clinton Public Library
306 8th Avenue South – Multi-Purpose Room
Facilitator: Laura Jess

📍 Davenport
Dates: December 22
Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
Location: Davenport Public Library
3000 N Fairmount St.

📍 Mason City
Dates: December 24
Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
Location: First Congregational UCC
100 First St NE
Enter through the east alley door and go downstairs – elevator available.

✨ Learn more about all of our in-person support groups:
https://www.askresource.org/inpersonsupportgroup

12/18/2025

🔍 What Is Child Find?

Child Find is the process schools use to determine whether a child may need special education services and supports.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every state must identify and evaluate children with disabilities—from birth through age 21—to ensure they receive the services they need to learn and thrive.

👉 Learn more about the Child Find process:
https://educate.iowa.gov/media/8725/download?inline=

12/18/2025

📣 Community Input Needed: Behavioral Health District Survey

The Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) is collecting feedback from community members as part of its Behavioral Health District Assessment.

This survey is open through the second week of January, and responses will be used to help shape individual district plans across Iowa. The more people who participate, the better the data will reflect real community needs.

If you’ve had any experience with behavioral health services, care coordination, or referrals, your perspective is important.

👉 Take the survey here:
🔗 https://www.iowapca.org/district-assessment

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your input.

Behavioral Health District Assessment: Community Member SurveyHelp us shape the future of behavioral health in Iowa. Share your feedback. Make a difference.The Iowa Primary Care Association coordinates a statewide network to ensure clear, consistent access to the continuum of behavioral health servi...

12/17/2025

❄️ Winter Update: Waukee Support Group Goes Online ❄️

To make it easier and safer for families during the winter months, the Waukee ASK Each Other Support Group will meet online for our next two sessions.

🗓 Upcoming Online Meetings

January 15 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.

February 12 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.

ASK Each Other is a free, parent-led space to connect with other families, share experiences, and learn from one another in a supportive environment.

👉 Registration is required to receive the Zoom link:
🔗 January 15: https://www.askresource.org/events/january-15-waukee-online-support-group

🔗 February 12: https://www.askresource.org/events/february-12-waukee-online-support-group---630pm-to-730pm

We look forward to connecting with you online this winter!

12/17/2025

🌟 What Does Head Start Do?

As the nation’s leading federally funded early learning program, Head Start serves children and families in every state and congressional district with consistently high-quality services.

Head Start looks different in each state depending on local systems and models, but its mission stays the same:
🎒 Promote school readiness for children ages 3–5

Most Head Start programs take place in center-based classrooms, but some families receive services through regular home visits from educators and family support staff.

👉 Learn more about Head Start preschool programs:
https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/early-childhood/head-start-office/head-start-preschool

Learn about Head Start Preschool (ages 3-5), a free program for low-income families promoting school readiness, health, and family well-being.

12/16/2025

📣 Reminder for Families with Teens

If you have a child approaching age 14 and starting to think about life after high school, we want to make sure you know about our sister site, Transition Iowa.

Transition Iowa focuses on:

Post-secondary education

Employment

Independent living

Transition planning under IDEA

👉 We encourage families and caregivers to like and follow the Transition Iowa page to get resources, reminders, and guidance as your child moves into the transition years.

The important thing to remember: there is no one-size-fits-all route.
Each student’s path to graduation can—and should—be customized to their strengths, needs, and future goals, as long as it meets Iowa’s minimum requirements.

📚 Learn more in our webinar:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wQEVOJDmhM

12/16/2025

Tomorrow!

📍 Join us in Clarinda for our In-Person Support Group! 💬💚

Caregivers and families are welcome to gather, share experiences, and connect with others in your community.

Clarinda
Dates: December 17
Time: 12:00–1:00 PM
Location: Lied Public Library
100 E Garfield St, Clarinda, IA 51632

✨ Learn more about our in-person support groups here:

Join ASK Resource Center’s ASK Each Other in-person support group for Iowa families of children with disabilities and special health care needs.

12/16/2025

🍼 Early Intervention Evaluations in Iowa

As the Lead Agency, the Iowa Department of Education ensures that every infant and toddler referred for early intervention receives a timely, comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation—unless eligibility can be determined through existing medical or developmental records.

These evaluations help families understand their child’s needs early so they can access the right supports as soon as possible.

👉 Learn more about early intervention evaluations:

Home» Early Intervention» Evaluations & Eligibility» Initial Evaluations for Early Intervention» INITIAL EVALUATIONS Initial Evaluation and Assessment Using the RIOT Process Components of Comprehensive Evaluations Assessments Eligibility Determination       Let us know about your experience o...

12/15/2025

🌼 What Is Early Head Start?

As the nation’s leading federally funded early learning program, Head Start supports children and families in every state with consistently high-quality services.

Early Head Start focuses on:
👶 Promoting healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women
🍼 Supporting the growth and development of infants and toddlers
🏡 Strengthening healthy family functioning

These early supports help families build a strong foundation during the most critical years of development.

👉 Learn more about Early Head Start: https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/early-childhood/head-start-office/early-head-start

12/13/2025

🌟 ASK Each Other: In-Person Support Groups
Looking for connection, guidance, or a supportive space to talk with other parents and caregivers? Our in-person ASK Each Other support groups meet throughout the month in communities across Iowa.

Each session offers:
💬 A welcoming place to share and listen
📘 Monthly topics to help you feel informed and confident
🤝 Support from other families who understand your journey

✨ December Topic: How to Prepare for Your Child’s IEP Meeting or Medical Appointment

Click below to see all upcoming dates and locations near you—no registration required. Just show up and join the conversation!

👉 https://www.askresource.org/events/ask-each-other-in-person-support-groups

Center

Join ASK Resource Center’s free in-person support groups for Iowa families. Learn about IEPs and how to prepare for meetings or medical appointments.